Child&#39;s play center with interchangeable, preconfigured boards for different activities

ABSTRACT

A play center for a child includes: a structure configured to removably receive a first board in a generally horizontal orientation, to removably receive a second board in a generally vertical orientation, and a storage area for receiving and storing additional boards that are interchangeable with the first and second boards; and a plurality of boards configured to be removably attached to the play center, each board being preconfigured for a particular activity to be performed at the play center, whereby each board can be swapped out to provide for a child is to participate in a different activity at the play center. Preferably, one or more pairs of the boards collectively are preconfigured for the particular play center activity and, more particularly, a pair of boards configured for being mounted in a vertical orientation and a pair of boards configured for being mounted in a horizontal orientation.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

The present application is a U.S. nonprovisional patent application of, and claims priority under 35 U.S.C. § 119(e) to, each of U.S. provisional patent application 62/624,803, filed Jan. 31, 2018, which provisional patent application is incorporated by reference herein; and, U.S. provisional patent application 62/625,333, filed Feb. 1, 2018, which provisional patent application is incorporated by reference herein. The Appendix to the Specification attached hereto furthermore is incorporated herein by reference.

COPYRIGHT STATEMENT

Any new and original work of authorship in this document is subject to copyright protection under the copyright laws of the United States and other countries. Reproduction by anyone of this document as it appears in official governmental records is permitted, but otherwise all other copyright rights whatsoever are reserved.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention generally relates to children play centers and, in preferred embodiments, to a child's play center having interchangeable, preconfigured boards for different activities.

Play centers are well known and include, for example, play kitchens; art desks/stations; tool benches; “Lego” tables; magnetic boards, chalkboards, and dry erase boards; activity table and chair sets; baby doll doctor stations; baby doll changing tables; sensory board/fine motor activity centers; and car and driving panels, all as seen in FIG. 1. These play centers can consume significant space in the home or other area for a child's play, and often the number and types of such play centers available for use are limited by such space constraints. Moreover, such play centers tend to present a “clutter” appearance, which often is undesirable, especially in the home.

According, improvements are believed to be needed that address such undesirable space-consuming and clutter-presenting disadvantages in such play centers. One or more aspects of the present invention are believed to address one or more such disadvantages.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention includes many aspects and features. Moreover, while many aspects and features relate to, and are described in, the context of a child's play center for use in the home and having interchangeable, preconfigured boards for different activities, the present invention is not so limited. As will become apparent from the following summaries and detailed descriptions of aspects, features, and one or more embodiments of the present invention, innovative aspects and feature relate not only to a child's play center, but also to aspects and features of the individual boards themselves as well as to portable apparatus that make use of such boards so as to provide a child's play center for traveling, such as when on vacation. Commercial uses of embodiments of the invention also are intended, including for example use in daycares, preschools, elementary schools, and churches.

Accordingly, one aspect of the present invention relates to a child's play center for use in the home and having interchangeable, preconfigured boards for different activities. The play center preferably represents just one toy that efficiently replaces a variety of the aforementioned separate and distinct play centers.

In a feature of the play center, the play center is configured to receive a plurality of interchangeable boards, each board being configured and adapted to be mounted to a structure of the play center. Preferably, as disclosed in detail hereinbelow, each board is preconfigured for a particular activity and can be swapped out as desired when a child is to participate in a different activity.

For example, there are boards for drawing and that comprise a dry erase surface and mounted dry erase markers. There are other boards that are for playing with dolls and that comprise, for example, a bed, diaper changing items, and baby bottles for the doll. Each board interchangeably can be mounted to the play center and, when not in use, can be conveniently stored within one or more areas of the play center. Appropriate boards preconfigured for different activities can be mounted to the structure depending on the child that will be playing and the activity that that child wants to do.

Preferably, the interchangeable boards are stored in a top compartment of the structure, in a side compartment of the structure, or both in a top compartment of the structure, in a side compartment of the structure, as illustrated in one or more preferred embodiments seen in the drawings.

In another aspect of the invention, the play center structure provides for the mounting of the boards in generally orthogonal orientations to each other, i.e., at right angles within certain tolerances. As seen in figures of the drawings, two boards can be mounted approximately end-to-end with one board in a horizontal orientation and the other in a vertical orientation. Furthermore, in one or more embodiments, two horizontally oriented boards can be mounted adjacent to each other, two vertically oriented boards can be mounted adjacent to each other, with the two pairs being generally located end-to-end to each other. In such implementations, each pair of boards preferably works with the other board of the pair in collectively defining a single preconfiguration for a particular activity. This permits storage of “the board” as two pieces within a storage area of the play center, and increases the area provided for the particular activity.

In another feature, a play center for a child comprises: a structure configured to removably receive a first board in a generally horizontal orientation, to removably receive a second board in a generally vertical orientation, and a storage area for receiving and storing additional boards that are interchangeable with the first and second boards; and a plurality of boards configured to be removably attached to the play center, each board being preconfigured for a particular activity to be performed at the play center, whereby each board can be swapped out to provide for a child is to participate in a different activity at the play center. The structure preferably comprises a horizontal play surface and a vertical play surface, each configured to removably receive and retain the play boards.

Preferably, one or more pairs of the boards collectively are preconfigured for the particular play center activity and, more particularly, a pair of boards configured for being mounted in a vertical orientation and a pair of boards configured for being mounted in a horizontal orientation collectively are preconfigured for a play center activity.

The activity may be, for example, the changing of a baby doll's diaper, with each board including one or more items supporting such activity, such as fore example a pack of wipes and a changing bed.

In another aspect, a board is provided that is preconfigured for a particular play center activity, and that is configured to be releasably mounted to the play center.

In another aspect, a plurality of boards is provided, each preconfigured for a particular play center activity, and each configured to be releasably mounted to the play center. Preferably, the boards are interchangeable with each other in their mounting to the play center. In a feature, one or more pairs of the boards collectively are preconfigured for the particular play center activity. For example, two pairs of the boards collectively may be preconfigured for the particular play center activity, with a first pair of the boards being configured to be mounted in a vertical orientation, and a second pair of the boards being configured to be mounted in a horizontal orientation.

In another aspect, a method of using a play center comprises interchanging boards of the play center for providing a different play center activity for a child, and storing the boards when in in use in a storage area of the play center.

In another aspect, a center for a child comprises a structure and boards, each board being configured for a particular play center activity, and further comprises means for releasably and interchangeably mounting the boards to the structure of the play center. In a feature, the play center of claim 8, further comprising means for storing the boards when not being used.

Other aspects comprise a play center as disclosed herein; a board for a play center as disclosed herein; and a method of using a play center as disclosed herein.

Yet further aspects and features are disclosed below in the detailed description section and in the drawings. Additionally, the present invention further encompasses the various logical combinations and subcombinations of such aspects and features. Thus, for example, claims in this or a divisional or continuing patent application or applications may be separately directed to any aspect, feature, or embodiment disclosed herein, or combination thereof, without requiring any other aspect, feature, or embodiment.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

One or more preferred embodiments of the present invention now will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 illustrates conventional play centers over which improvements are provided by one or more embodiments in accordance with one or more aspects and features of the present inventions.

FIG. 2 a front perspective view of the play center 100 of a preferred embodiment in accordance with one or more aspects and features of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a side perspective view of the play center 100 of FIG. 2, in which view the play center is being used in the home, with a baby doll changing station having been setup on the front and a dry erase board station having been setup on the back.

FIG. 4 is a top perspective view of the play center 100 of FIG. 3, in which view a hinged and lockable door of a top storage chest of the play center 100 is seen in an open position revealing a host of boards that are interchangeable with the baby doll boards for changing the activity of the play center.

FIG. 5 is a front perspective view of the play center 100, in which view all visible boards have been removed—including those from the side storage area seen in FIG. 4, and in which view the container bins serving as drawers have been removed.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view a side of the play center 100 of FIG. 5.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the other side of the play center 100 of FIG. 6, which side includes the side storage for boards.

FIG. 8 is a side view of the side of the play center 100 of FIG. 6 having the side storage for boards.

FIG. 9 is a top perspective view of the play center 100 of FIG. 8, in which view the hinged and lockable door of the top storage chest of the play center again is seen in an open position (similar to the view of FIG. 4), but in which the boards have been removed and an adjustable, indexed framework for receiving and maintaining the boards in a generally upright orientation is seen.

FIG. 10 is another top perspective view of the play center similar to that of FIG. 9, but in which the framework has been removed.

FIG. 11 is another front perspective view of the play center 100, again setup with a baby doll changing station. As seen here, four boards are preconfigured for collectively providing the baby doll changing station, including a pair of boards that are generally vertically oriented, and a pair of boards that are generally horizontally oriented, with the vertical pair oriented over and near an end of the horizontally oriented pair.

FIG. 12 is a perspective view of a back of another play center 200 of a preferred embodiment in accordance with one or more aspects and features of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

As a preliminary matter, it will readily be understood by one having ordinary skill in the relevant art (“Ordinary Artisan”) that the invention has broad utility and application. Furthermore, any embodiment discussed and identified as being “preferred” is considered to be part of a best mode contemplated for carrying out the invention. Other embodiments also may be discussed for additional illustrative purposes in providing a full and enabling disclosure of the invention. Furthermore, an embodiment of the invention may incorporate only one or a plurality of the aspects of the invention disclosed herein; only one or a plurality of the features disclosed herein; or combination thereof. As such, many embodiments are implicitly disclosed herein and fall within the scope of what is regarded as the invention.

Accordingly, while the invention is described herein in detail in relation to one or more embodiments, it is to be understood that this disclosure is illustrative and exemplary of the invention and is made merely for the purposes of providing a full and enabling disclosure of the invention. The detailed disclosure herein of one or more embodiments is not intended, nor is to be construed, to limit the scope of patent protection afforded the invention in any claim of a patent issuing here from, which scope is to be defined by the claims and the equivalents thereof. It is not intended that the scope of patent protection afforded the invention be defined by reading into any claim a limitation found herein that does not explicitly appear in the claim itself.

Thus, for example, any sequence(s) and/or temporal order of steps of various processes or methods that are described herein are illustrative and not restrictive. Accordingly, it should be understood that, although steps of various processes or methods may be shown and described as being in a sequence or temporal order, the steps of any such processes or methods are not limited to being carried out in any particular sequence or order, absent an indication otherwise. Indeed, the steps in such processes or methods generally may be carried out in various different sequences and orders while still falling within the scope of the invention. Accordingly, it is intended that the scope of patent protection afforded the invention be defined by the issued claim(s) rather than the description set forth herein.

Additionally, it is important to note that each term used herein refers to that which the Ordinary Artisan would understand such term to mean based on the contextual use of such term herein. To the extent that the meaning of a term used herein—as understood by the Ordinary Artisan based on the contextual use of such term—differs in any way from any particular dictionary definition of such term, it is intended that the meaning of the term as understood by the Ordinary Artisan should prevail.

With regard solely to construction of any claim with respect to the United States, no claim element is to be interpreted under 35 U.S.C. 112(f) unless the explicit phrase “means for” or “step for” is actually used in such claim element, whereupon this statutory provision is intended to and should apply in the interpretation of such claim element. With regard to any method claim including a condition precedent step, such method requires the condition precedent to be met and the step to be performed at least once but not necessarily every time during performance of the claimed method.

Furthermore, it is important to note that, as used herein, “comprising” is open-ended insofar as that which follows such term is not exclusive. Additionally, “a” and “an” each generally denotes “at least one” but does not exclude a plurality unless the contextual use dictates otherwise. Thus, reference to “a picnic basket having an apple” is the same as “a picnic basket comprising an apple” and “a picnic basket including an apple”, each of which identically describes “a picnic basket having at least one apple” as well as “a picnic basket having apples”; the picnic basket further may contain one or more other items beside an apple. In contrast, reference to “a picnic basket having a single apple” describes “a picnic basket having only one apple”; the picnic basket further may contain one or more other items beside an apple. In contrast, “a picnic basket consisting of an apple” has only a single item contained therein, i.e., one apple; the picnic basket contains no other item.

When used herein to join a list of items, “or” denotes “at least one of the items” but does not exclude a plurality of items of the list. Thus, reference to “a picnic basket having cheese or crackers” describes “a picnic basket having cheese without crackers”, “a picnic basket having crackers without cheese”, and “a picnic basket having both cheese and crackers”; the picnic basket further may contain one or more other items beside cheese and crackers.

When used herein to join a list of items, “and” denotes “all of the items of the list”. Thus, reference to “a picnic basket having cheese and crackers” describes “a picnic basket having cheese, wherein the picnic basket further has crackers”, as well as describes “a picnic basket having crackers, wherein the picnic basket further has cheese”; the picnic basket further may contain one or more other items beside cheese and crackers.

The phrase “at least one” followed by a list of items joined by “and” denotes an item of the list but does not require every item of the list. Thus, “at least one of an apple and an orange” encompasses the following mutually exclusive scenarios: there is an apple but no orange; there is an orange but no apple; and there is both an apple and an orange. In these scenarios if there is an apple, there may be more than one apple, and if there is an orange, there may be more than one orange. Moreover, the phrase “one or more” followed by a list of items joined by “and” is the equivalent of “at least one” followed by the list of items joined by “and”.

Referring now to the drawings, one or more preferred embodiments of the invention are next described. The following description of one or more preferred embodiments is merely exemplary in nature and is in no way intended to limit the invention, its implementations, or uses.

Turning now to the drawings, FIG. 1 illustrates conventional play centers over which improvements are provided by one or more embodiments in accordance with one or more aspects and features of the present inventions.

FIG. 2 a front perspective view of the play center 100 of a preferred embodiment in accordance with one or more aspects and features of the present invention. This play center 100 also is seen in FIGS. 3-11.

In this regard, the play center 100 is seen in FIG. 3 being used in the home, with a baby doll changing station having been setup on the front and a dry erase board station having been setup on the back.

A top perspective view of the play center 100 is seen in FIG. 3, in which view a hinged and lockable door of a top storage chest of the play center 100 is seen in an open position, revealing a host of boards that are interchangeable with the baby doll boards for changing the activity of the play center.

FIG. 5 is a front perspective view of the play center 100, in which view all visible boards have been removed—including those from the side storage area seen in FIG. 4, and in which view the container bins serving as drawers have been removed. As will be appreciated from FIG. 5, the container bins have flanges that are received within slots of the play center structure, by which the container bins are slidably received and retained within the play center. Other means may be used including, for example, drawers having wheels whereby the drawers roll out and extend from the play center structure. Such rolling drawers are often found in modernized residential kitchens.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view a side of the play center 100 of FIG. 5, and FIGS. 7 and 8 are views of the other side of the play center 100 of FIGURE, which other side includes a side storage for boards.

FIG. 9 is a top perspective view of the play center 100 of FIG. 8 similar to the view of FIG. 4, in which the hinged and lockable door of the top storage chest of the play center again is seen in an open position, but in which the boards have been removed and an adjustable, indexed framework for receiving and maintaining the boards in a generally upright orientation is seen. FIG. 10 is another top perspective view of the play center similar to that of FIG. 9, but in which the framework has been removed.

FIG. 11 is another front perspective view of the play center 100, again setup with a baby doll changing station. As seen here, four boards are preconfigured for collectively providing the baby doll changing station, including a pair of boards that are generally vertically oriented, and a pair of boards that are generally horizontally oriented, with the vertical pair oriented over and near an end of the horizontally oriented pair.

FIG. 12 is a perspective view of a back of another play center 200. Play center 200 is similar to play center 100, but includes a horizontal tabletop surface similar to the front side, which surface is configured to releasably receive a pair of horizontally oriented boards mounted thereon for use in conjunction with a pair of vertically oriented boards mounted to the back side of the storage chest of the play center.

In addition to the play centers 100,200, which represent standalone structures for continued use in a particular location such as a home, the present invention encompasses wall-mounted apparatus and portable apparatus for travel. Such additional embodiments, and further standalone embodiments, are disclosed in the Appendix attached hereto, which disclosure is incorporated herein by reference. Indeed, with reference now turning to the Appendix and pages thereof, an overview and discussion follows of the incorporated disclosure of the Appendix.

Page 1 sets forth different exemplary preconfigured boards, a.k.a “themed boards”, for embodiments of the all-in-one play center of aspects and features of the present invention. It will be appreciated that only the top portion of the play center is illustrated in the examples seen on page 1. The themed boards which slide into releasably mounted, horizontally and vertically oriented frames that separately are attached to a structure of the play center. Using sliding boards, it is easy and efficient to change the function of a children's play station from one play experience into a different play experience, for example, from a “Lego” table into a tool workshop, and thereafter into a doctor play set into an art station. The examples of the play center shown are generally composed of four slide-in boards that comprise a themed “board set”.

Page 2 of the Appendix illustrates a host of additional themed board sets.

Page 3 of the Appendix illustrates the play center 100 and sets forth preferred dimensions and specification thereof, and includes a few pictures of different theme boards in use.

Page 4 of the Appendix highlights certain aspects and features of the play center 100. The drawers preferably are long enough to store boards, and child-proof board storage preferably is provided by the lockable chest. Additionally, as will be appreciated from the drawings, the play center 100 is preferably in the shape of an upright piano.

Frames on located on the front and attached to the structure of the play center for receiving the boards. Frames also on located on the back for receiving boards, whereby a themed board set can be setup on each of the front and back of the play center. The frames include opposed grooves or flanges that receive therein opposite sides of a board and retain the board during play. Each frame preferably is open-ended at each side of the play center, whereby a board is slid into the frame from either end of the paly center for mounting attachment to the structure of the play center. In alternatives, the frame may be open-ended only on one side of the play center and closed off on the other end.

Pages 5 and 6 of the Appendix together illustrate another embodiment of a play center in accordance with one or more aspects and features of the invention. As perhaps best seen on page 6, the play center includes a table that is connected by hinges to the structure of the play center whereby the table may be extended and horizontally oriented with boards mounted thereon. Legs may be detached and stored with boards when the table is not in use. Legs may be attached by screws or other mechanical fasteners.

Also, as illustrated on page 5, the drawers preferably pullout on either side of the play center for access by a child whether at the front or the back of the play center.

Pages 7-10 of the Appendix illustrate a prototype of a play center having the fold-down tabletop surface representative of that seen on pages 5 and 6.

Pages 11-14 of the Appendix illustrate structures that are wall-mounted. These structures are exemplary of the structures used in wall-mounted play centers in accordance with one or more aspects and features of the present invention. Frames for interchangeably receiving a themed board set would be attached to these structures to provide the play stations of the stand along embodiments seen on pages 1-10.

Pages 15 and 16 of the Appendix illustrate portable play centers for travel. The portable play centers preferably are in the form of a case (illustrated on page 15) or a chest (illustrated on page 16).

Page 17 sets forth contemplated variations of embodiments of play centers in accordance with one or more aspects and features of the invention.

Pages 18 and 19 identify different various themed board sets, and are listed by way of example and not limitation. It further is disclosed that a board to which the accessories and component parts are attached can be constructed out of wood, tool-peg boards, chalk boards, and magnetic dry erase boards. The boards also can be constructed of other materials, including plastic and corrugated materials, for example.

Pages 20-45 of the Appendix disclose each of various themed board sets, including the accessories and component parts that are attached or otherwise associated with the boards.

Pages 46 and 47 list various play experiences of board sets contemplated for use in accordance with aspects and features of the present invention.

Pages 48-62 set forth alternative means for releasably mounting boards to the structure of the play center.

Lastly, page 63 of the Appendix sets forth various advantages seen to be provided by embodiments of play centers in accordance with one or more aspects and features of the present invention.

Based on the foregoing description, it will be readily understood by those persons skilled in the art that the present invention has broad utility and application. Many embodiments and adaptations of the present invention other than those specifically described herein, as well as many variations, modifications, and equivalent arrangements, will be apparent from or reasonably suggested by the present invention and the foregoing descriptions thereof, without departing from the substance or scope of the present invention. Accordingly, while the present invention has been described herein in detail in relation to one or more preferred embodiments, it is to be understood that this disclosure is only illustrative and exemplary of the present invention and is made merely for the purpose of providing a full and enabling disclosure of the invention. The foregoing disclosure is not intended to be construed to limit the present invention or otherwise exclude any such other embodiments, adaptations, variations, modifications or equivalent arrangements, the present invention being limited only by the claims appended hereto and the equivalents thereof. 

1. A play center for a child, comprising a structure configured to removably receive a first board in a generally horizontal orientation, to removably receive a second board in a generally vertical orientation, and a storage area for receiving and storing additional boards that are interchangeable with the first and second boards.
 2. The play center of claim 1, further comprising a plurality of boards configured to be removably attached to the play center, each board being preconfigured for a particular activity to be performed at the play center, whereby each board can be swapped out to provide for a child to participate in a different activity at the play center.
 3. (canceled)
 4. A plurality of boards for use with a play center, each preconfigured for a particular play center activity and configured to be releasably mounted to the play center, wherein the boards are interchangeable with each other in their mounting to the play center.
 5. The plurality of boards of claim 4, wherein one or more pairs of the boards collectively are preconfigured for the same particular play center activity.
 6. The plurality of boards of claim 5, wherein two pairs of the boards collectively are preconfigured for the same particular play center activity, with a first of the pair of the boards being configured to be mounted in a vertical orientation, and a second of the pair of the boards being configured to be mounted in a horizontal orientation.
 7. (canceled)
 8. A play center for a child comprising a structure and boards, each board being configured for a particular play center activity, and further comprising means for releasably and interchangeably mounting the boards to the structure of the play center.
 9. The play center of claim 8, further comprising means for storing the boards when not being used. 